Well today is Groundhog Day and in a few hours we will find out if spring is is close or if we have more cold ahead. Weather here says in the 70's mid to late week coming up. I can not wait for warmer weather, the zipper broke on my winter coat last night and I really do not want to go out and buy a new coat this year. I can hear you saying "Kim go buy the damn coat and be done with it!" I know I need to because I will forget next fall and be without a warm coat. Ok I am heading online to look for a warm coat that will keep me warm walking Fred at 5:30 am in 25 degree weather.

Things are going well at Art Happens on Tarboro. We have new artists come in this week. A lady that makes sea glass jewelry and a man that makes mosaic guitars. I will take photos today and post them- I forgot to take pictures last night at First Friday. I have a commission in the works and am coming up with a plan/curriculum for a homeschool art class.

I have found that time is getting away from me. I made a list at the beginning or the year of things to do and I am already behind! The list includes projects for the house and studio. Like the garbage can full of broken tiles from the garden that is sitting in the driveway that I can not move because it is too heavy, it taunts me every time I pull into the driveway and every time I come out kitchen door. I need to get the hand truck and just move them damn thing! I did manage to put Art Date on the calendar each month and I did accomplish that for January! Putting myself first finally.

February 8 is my Stained Glass Heart Pendant class from 11 am to 2 pm, come on down and make yourself a Valentine's gift for you! There will be time to make 2 so you can MOGO- make one give one!

Wishing you the best February ever! And lots of art work in your future- either bought or made by you.

Can you believe it is 2019 already? Where did the year go? I wish I could slow things down a little, I can not keep up with the speed the days are flying by.

Lots of plans for the new year... classes at the store, work on the commissions that are waiting for me to get to work on them- a transom, a cardinal panel with birch trees and a door, also set up course for visiting artists, and plan a summer camp for this year along with all the everyday things that crop up. Hoping to get some visiting instructors to come do classes and workshops also. What kind of classes would you like to see?

At home I need to work on the fence line gardens- they did not get any work done to them in 2018 as I was working on getting English Ivy off the Big Pecan Tree in front yard. I am hoping for some nice weather days when store is closed to work in the gardens before Poison Ivy gets bad. Also need to do something about the state of the finish on the hard wood floor in the guest room, there is no sealant left on it and floor is stained from spills. I finally have everything that does not belong on main floor up in the attic, what a difference that makes.

I am working on re-branding my business to jazz it up a bit. No one has complained or said anything, I just feel it is time to get updated. Same colors, same message but new look to packaging, etc. It has been fun learning about branding and working with different products. I am also working on new display for the store.... more to come on that when I find the components.

What are your plans for 2019? Any new things in your future? Travel? And to where?

My studio mates are having a hard time not coming to work in the studio with me! I found out that they sleep all day when I am at the store. Bums! I need to find these two jobs!​

After all the work was done and passed City Inspection, the store opened November 27! The first days we had lots of friend visitors and made sales. It was great fun showing off the store and having friends support the vision.

We were open for A Downtown Christmas December 1 for 10 am to 9 pm. Lots of visitors, many looking for the Merch Search clue. I was dog tired after that long day.

First Friday was good, a steady stream of visitors and lots of great feedback. Purchased way too much beverage and too much food left over but it is all a learning process. I am hoping to get it down to the right balance of food and drink.

Adjusting to work Tuesday through Saturday 10 am to 5 pm has been a challenge. I do come home mid day to take Fred for a walk so he is not floating! He acts so sad when I leave in the morning and sits on the sofa until I get into the living room before he gets up. Then he turns into a pogo stick! Hours will be cut back in January to Wednesday through Saturday 10 am to 5 pm, just to see if that has any change.

I have done three repairs and am drawing up two commissions. It is so good to be back at work and creating. I do love my job.

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The January Class schedule will be going out in the January Happenings Newsletter so keep your eyes peeled.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! What are you creative plans for the New Year?

I used to say I am the worst letter writer well now I can say I am the worst blogger! OMG it was June the last time I posted. I feel horrible.I hope you will forgive me.

Needless to say a lot has happened since June 14.

The stage was taken down in the store to make the front room all one level. The carpet and vinyl in the back was pulled up to reveal the rotten floors which in turn showed rotted joists. Not in the plan at all. Hired Electrician, Carpenters and HVAC. I moved the workbench cabinets from screen porch to store.

I started painting the fire hydrant on the corner of Nash and Tarboro.

Watercolor class ended. Wish it could have gone on longer but it was not meant to be for me. I have the techniques down, just need to practice, practice, practice.

We had to say good bye to Nanook. While my sister and a friend were visited with their dogs, Nanook got sick on Saturday night, slept all day Sunday and did not want to go outside at all. All night he kept growling, I imagine the pain caused that. So Monday a trip to the vet which ended up being a good bye. Nanook was just one month shy of his 14th birthday. We will miss him dearly. He was such a great dog. Wesley spent days walking around the house crying and looking for his brother.​The day I picked up Nanook's ashes at the vet's I went to the Wayne County Shelter and found Fred- a 6 month old Brittany Spaniel mix. He looks like a short haired Jack Russell on steroids. We went to Obedience class but Fred barked the whole time. We ended up separating from class mate in aisles in Petsmart so Fred would not have bark the whole time. He and Wesley get along well. Wesley loves to chase Fred through the house and wrestle.

AC is house went out June 26 and the whole system was replaced August 7. I did miss ac but it was too hot to not have it. I got used to ac and can't live without it. Getting soft in my old age.

The roof on house in three places in the beginning of August from all the rain. A roofer came and patched the three places and we stayed dry during Hurricane Florence.

Work on the building so far includes replacing all wood joists and flooring. New electrical outlets and converting fluorescent to LEDs.

Went to doctors numerous times for Poison Ivy, Seems that the neighbor will not take responsibility for the poison ivy growing from her yard. I try to keep it cut back but as nature is it keeps growing into my yard. Ugh! I met an elderly woman who suggested soaking brown paper bag in apple cider vinegar and put paper patch on blisters to draw out poison and itch. Guess what! It works and I have a covered bowl in my fridge.

I started making Beerings, earrings made from beer cans and they are on display and sale in the Downtown Public House. I will be selling them along with other items at the Whirligig Festival November 3 and 4.

I was interviewed by the Wilson Times about the store, it was teaser in a larger article. As the store gets ready to open I will be a feature in an article.

I have been taking Business Classes at the Small Business Center at Wilson Community College. There is so much to learn and relearn as I have been in business for years and things change and grow. It is amazing all the free classes that are available.

Top row: Nanook, Nanook and Wesley, Wesley and FredBottom Row: My first watercolour, new HVAC system in house, Hibiscus in my garden

Enough about me...what have you been up to? Any new projects in the works? Did you take any trips this summer? Any cool plans you want to share?

So I think I am going to put blog post on my calendar so months don't pass by and I have to write a novel to catch you up.

Today a new lock went in the front door of Art Happens on Tarboro. The previous renter was supposed to get everything out by June 1, they still have an air conditioner in the wall but I need to be able to start work to get ready to open. We have lost almost two weeks waiting. Yes I am a bit antsy to get going!

Contractors are coming to give estimate on back door replacement, hanging wall mounted sink, switching bathroom door from right open to left open, installing utility sink in old mens room, pulling up vinyl and carpet and replacing rotten wooden floor ( I stuck my foot through the floor in ladies room), put exhaust fan where ac unit is and move handicap vamp and shorten. We swill decide if we are going to see if the transoms are ok and then we will uncover them inside and out.

Sebastian will be painting the sign. Can't wait to see it up.

Tedd will be power painting ceiling and walls. Thank you Tedd, you are my hero!

Electrician is coming to remove fluorescent lights and replace with hanging track system and adding new outlets.

HVAC Guy is coming to put in mini split system.

This Saturday I am painting a fire hydrant on the corner of Nash and Tarboro. Picked up the paint yesterday and I am ready. Anyone want to come help? I will treat to lunch at Da Bayou!​

Here are some interior photos of the store and what I envision for the lighting system.

I am hoping all the work can be done by July 1 so we can open for First Friday in July! Fingers crossed. If you want to come and help out with set up after work is done I would love the help. Lunch at Da Bayou!

Today was the Survey, should take a few days to wrap that up with City and then we can set closing. It Is getting close, I can feel it! My house is full of display, supplies, finished product and furniture. I will be more excited to have that cleared out and know setting up is going to take awhile.

Here is the logo for Art Happens on Tarboro! What do you think?

I will update as we get forward movement. Hoping for July 1 Opening, fingers crossed.

The closing on the store hit a snag.... the survey. Seems that there has not been a survey in the last few owners and the previous ones did not match up. What? How can that be? The bright side is that this gives me more time to get organized and get the house finished up so it is done when the store opens. Wish we had closed last Friday but plans can change.

I have been lucky enough to take SBA Workshops at Wilson Community College. It is amazing how much I have learned in the last month and I am so grateful for the opportunity the SBA has given me. If you want to learn more about starting and running a business you should look up the SBA- Small Business Administration. Here is their main website then go to Learning Center to find a Center near you.

Friday May 4 is First Friday here in Wilson. This month's show at Art at 123 Studio is Floral. The Reception is 5-8 pm, you should stop by and check some great local artists and their art.​

Last blog post I said I needed to stop procrastinating and empty the shed to set up stained glass studio. Well ......... now I don't need to because I have put an offer in on a commercial property so my studios will be combined and will be in Downtown Wilson! No more worrying about the cat walking on students projects while they are working on them. Sorry Wesley but some people to not appreciate you helping! So all you people with allergies it will be so much better. Don't worry I will make it up to my studio mates Nanook and Wesley when I get home. I will have a little jewelry studio at home just for us.

I have listed three jewelry classes on the Class Tab that I will hold at Art at 123 Studio on Barnes Street in Wilson. I will not be able to do any stained glass classes until I set up studio downtown after May 31. There are renters in the building until then. Plus I still have a load left in Virginia that I need to get here to add to studio- stained glass display racks, student tool kits and project boards plus other goodies. Photos below. I have been thinking about a name for the Studio. I was considering staying with Kim S. Joy Stained Glass and Jewelry but I might want to have other artists' work in there also and teaching as well. Any suggestions?

Moving to Wilson has been amazing. The people I have met and the opportunities that have come along are just more than I could have imagined. Please come and visit. I do have a spare room and the animals have not made it their own yet.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! It is also my maternal grandmother, Annie Allan Sellars birthday, as well celebrate her 134th birthday.

So I have been working in my jewelry studio in the largest bedroom in the house, looking out the window at the shed and the pile of glass in my driveway for 3 months now. Ugh! The shed needs to be emptied and all the stained glass supplies and work surfaces put in. I guess I am procrastinating!

Until Tuesday when I went to look at a store front in Downtown Wilson and fell in love with the idea to move out and up to a real store/studio. It is a little crazy because I moved here to be debt free and am unless I purchase this retail space. Oh what to do....

I put an offer in last night and have not heard anything yet. Fingers crossed. My contractors are going to look at it Monday. It looks pretty good but I can not see everything. I will keep you updated, until then here is a teaser photo.​

Crazy news.... my house was set to close Nov 22 and the night before it fell apart. I had three U-Haul trucks in the driveway of the new house I was going to close on Nov 27. What do I do? First I cried then I put on my big girl panties and decided to rent the house I plan to buy. I moved in Thanksgiving day with no hot water and no fridge. Luckily the attic was col enough to keep beer cold.​The day after Thanksgiving and that Saturday I hired a crew to help unload the 3 trucks. Finally got hot water and a week later I got a fridge. I am still setting up. The shed to be my stained glass studio is full of stuff from previous owners that needs to go to the dump. For the time being all that stuff is in my dining room and the glass is under tarps in driveway.

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My new home!

​Yes that is snow on the roof! I love this house, it felt warm and inviting the minute I walked in. It was built in 1951, has 3 bedrooms, a bath, dining room, kitchen, living room and an attic that runs the length of the house. The largest bedroom is my jewelry studio. The big shed will be the stained glass studio in the spring.

Wesley the Studio Cat checking out the new jewelry studio, still unpacking!

​If you are ever driving down 95, I am only a few miles off to the East and the door is always open.